Monday, April 21, 2014

Scafell from Eskdale

David's photo of me on top of Scafell

looking back and zooming in on the Eskdale Needle on our long way in to

Scafell. Have a look here for some pics of a walk David and I did here.

It's been a while since I've had a walk with David. He's a keen photographer and has had many pictures published in various magazines. He also has a Facebook page, The Wainwright Fellwalker that you should check out. Here is a link to the pictures he took on this walk.

Today, David was keen to explore views from Eskdale and Great Moss towards the Scafells. I was keen to explore a bit of Scafell. David's mate Alastair came along too.

David in front and Alaister behind heading up the valley

Eskdale is wilder and remoter compared to the other approaches to the Scafells. The river Esk snakes photogenically along the valley.

Today, conditions were very dry. It's an expectation to get quite wet going across Great Moss. Today, we only got a very little bit wet and it was possible to walk across the middle of the moss, something that would usually leave you wading at least ankle deep.

We started at Brotherikeld Farm and followed a nice route along the river, looking up to the right trying to pick out the Eskdale Needle on the flanks of Hard Knott. The path was fairly level until we crossed Lincove Bridge where it rose steeply to Great Moss.

David spots Scafell Pike and Ill Crag

first of many river crossings

We had to cross the river a few times to get over to Cam Spout Crag.

I knew we were in for a bit of hanging around in Great Moss while David tried to get the perfect shot. I didn't mind too much, my feet were a bit tired from a big day out the day before and it was nice to sit in the sun near to Sampson's Stones while David went off photographing.

Eventually David came back over to meet us and we headed off up the rocky Cam Spout route.

After many stops and frequent altitude checks, we reached the gulley that goes up to Foxes Tarn.

David and Alastair pass by some of Sampson's Stones. Scafell Pike is middle left.

taking a break on the steep rocky ascent up Cam Spout

After a long, hot climb, eventually the ground evens out a bit. Looking up to Mickledoor, the col above this group of people, and Broad Stand on the left. Our route up today was via Foxes Tarn along a gulley in front of Broad Stand. We would then carry on up to Scafell and, after a bit of exploration, come back via Lord's Rake crossing back over Mickledoor and down this same way.

climbing up to Foxes Tarn

Foxes Tarn - still a fair bit of climbing from here up scree

The climb up from Foxes Tarn is up a winding path through the scree. We took it easy and broke it down eventually topping out and heading over a short way to the summit.

Views from the summit were extensive. I would really recommend that you have a look at David's photo's.

We looked over to Scafell Pike where there was a mass of people on or near the summit. Scafell, in comparison was quiet, we met a few people, one of whom was finishing his Wainwrights there.

After pictures at the top, we headed over to Deep Gill. This is the entry to the West Wall Traverse which was our planned route around and down. When we got there, we saw that it was filled with snow and so decided against this route.

a busy Scafell Pike

Mosedale and beyond

Wasdale

I've seen that pose somewhere before

The Pinnacle at the head of Deep Gill

of course a great man has been here before

and a not so great man ;)

David had a bit of fun recreating the Scafell 9 page from Wainwright's guides and then we went to have a look over Broad Stand. The famous drop made by Lord Byron. I was a bit wary of getting too low down on the crag but I would like to go back with someone who knows what they are doing to see exactly how difficult it is.

This 3d view looking along from Mickledoor shows where I dropped down to look at Broad

Stand before coming back and heading to Mickledoor along Lord's Rake.

So after a bit of playing around Deep Gill and Broad Stand, we headed over to pick up Lord's Rake. There is a cross at the junction between the paths to the summit and Foxes Tarn, I think the remains of a shelter, and one of the arms points in the direction of Lord's Rake. We headed down the winding scree path and then began the drop down, across and down again before the final climb up the climber's track to Mickledoor.

about to tack the last climb up and famous chock stone

there is that famous stone.

cautiously underneath

this picture gives some idea as to the size. Alastair is just above the middle patch of

snow with David behind.

looking back from Mickledoor along to Lord's Rake

So after descending from Mickledoor, we headed back the same way we came. A great day out, about 12 miles in total.